Wilhelm Kempff

German musician, a pianist and composer of the romantic period, a teacher and the author of music books. His works include four operas, songs, ballets, two symphonies, concerts and other orchestral pieces.

Born into a family of distinguished church musicians, he studied with his dad, then formally from age nine. He began his career in 1916 as a pianist and organist and made many tours, worldwide. He was close to 70 when he made his U.S. debut, world known through his recordings.

Kempff married Baroness Helen Hiller von Gaertringen in 1926; seven kids; widowed 1986. He himself died on 23 May 1991, Positano, Italy after suffering from Parkinson's for ten years.